In a sport based on teamwork and supporting your mates, Roosters star and 2024 Entrepreneur Player of the Year winner Angus Crichton summed things up perfectly in his acceptance speech when he said, 'A big shout out to my business partner and all the team for the hard work they put in because there's no chance of doing this without a great team'.
Crichton was among those honoured at the 2024 Wellbeing and Education Academic Excellence Awards held in Sydney in August, with his fellow Rooster Millie Elliott collecting the 2024 Entrepreneur Player of the Year in the NRLW.
The annual awards celebrate academic achievement, leadership and excellence across the NRL and NRLW competitions with winners including Nicho Hynes and Quincy Dodd, who took home the Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Awards.
Asked what advice he would give to younger players looking to set themselves up in business while juggling the demands of a professional footy career, Crichton said it was vital to do things you are passionate about.
"Find a passion that doesn't feel like work," he said.
"And if you can see yourself doing that and earning money from it, I think you'll live a happy life. So, yeah, have a crack."
For her part, Elliott said it was nice to have things off the field to pursue and said she was very honoured to be recognised by the NRL in this field.
"My advice would be to have a good support network around you," the Roosters, Sky Blues and Jillaroos star said.
"Take opportunities when they come, be open to things, say yes to things, and you never know who you're going to meet along the way.
"You can't put all your eggs into the basket of rugby league because it's a short career, there's injuries and there's disappointment. And you know it's not going to last forever.
"So take the opportunities while they're there. You get to meet so many amazing people along the way."
Among the other worthy winners on the night was Kennedy Cherrington, who collected the Pasifika Leadership and Excellence Award,
The Parramatta Eels back-rower represented Maori All Stars in 2022 and has also played for the Jillaroos and Sky Blues in a glittering career.
She said you can never be sure how long you have in the game so it's vital to find your calling off the field and make every moment count.
"Show this next generation that you're not only a rugby league player, but you can do so much more, you can achieve so much more," she said.
2024 Award Winners
2024 Academic Award
NRL – Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm)
NRLW – Brydie Parker (Sydney Roosters)
Pasifika Leadership & Excellence Award
NRL – Tui Kamikamika (Melbourne Storm)
NRLW – Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)
Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Award
NRL – Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
NRLW – Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Entrepreneur Player of the Year
NRL – Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
NRLW – Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)
Vocational Player of the Year
NRL – Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)
NRLW – Taneka Todhunter (Parramatta Eels)
Academic Team of the Year
Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm)
Brydie Parker (Sydney Roosters)
Euan Aitken (Dolphins)
Luke Garner (Penrith Panthers)
Jacob Preston (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Lachlan Croker (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Fonua Pole (Wests Tigers)
Scott Drinkwater (North Queensland Cowboys)
Tyla King (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
Pihuka Berryman Duff (Parramatta Eels)
Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos)
Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters).
